Study Desk

For she said to herself, "If I can only touch His coat, I will be healed."

His followers said to Him, "You see the many people pushing on every side. Why do You ask, ‘Who touched My coat?'"

Jesus went from the house of Jairus and came to His home town. His followers came after Him.

On the Day of Rest He began to teach in the Jewish place of worship. Many people heard Him. They were surprised and wondered, saying, "Where did this Man get all this? What wisdom is this that has been given to Him? How can He do these powerful works with His hands?

Is He not a Man Who makes things from wood? Is He not the Son of Mary and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Do not His sisters live here with us?" The people were ashamed of Him and turned away from Him.

Jesus said to them, "One who speaks for God is respected everywhere but in his own country and among his own family and in his own house."

So Jesus could do no powerful works there. But He did put His hands on a few sick people and healed them.

For Herod had sent men to take John and put him into prison. He did this because of his wife, Herodias. She had been the wife of his brother Philip.

Then Herodias found a way to have John killed. Herod gave a big supper on his birthday. He asked the leaders of the country and army captains and the leaders of Galilee to come.

The daughter of Herodias came in and danced before them. This made Herod and his friends happy. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you."

Herod was very sorry. He had to do it because of his promise and because of those who ate with him.

At once he sent one of his soldiers and told him to bring the head of John the Baptist. The soldier went to the prison and cut off John's head.

John's followers heard this. They went and took his body and buried it.

At once Jesus had His followers get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to the town of Bethsaida. He sent the people away.

He saw His followers were in trouble. The wind was against them. They were working very hard rowing the boat. About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came to them walking on the sea. He would have gone past them.

Wherever He went, they would lay the sick people in the streets in the center of town where people gather. They begged Him that they might touch the bottom of His coat. Everyone who did was healed. This happened in the towns and in the cities and in the country where He went.

They had seen some of His followers eat bread without washing their hands.

Moses said, ‘Respect your father and mother.' ‘He who curses his father and mother will be put to death!'

But you say that it is right if a man does not help his father and mother because he says he has given to God what he could have given to them.

You are not making him do anything for his father and mother.